Pazzia;337 Third (Between Folsom and Harrison);(415)512-1693. Hours: 11:30-2:30;5:30-10:00(Monday-Saturday; Saturday until 10:30. You'll feel like you're eating in Firenze (Florence, where there's at sister restaurant, J. Ghibellini) at Massimo Ballerini's Soma Restaurant. Come for lunch so you won't have to vye for a table with hustler-bustlers or defray the expenses with your firstborn. Loyalists love its genuine Italian atmosphere, and you'll easily become friends with the owner. Massimo married an American girl and is a proud father of newborn. He greeted me and PJ Max (raconteur/chessplayer/bon vivant) with open arms, in the Florentine fashion!
Before we squeezed into the space, and I asked PJ, is it true being married reduces the risk of heart attack --or anything exciting, really? Hm...
We sat down facing the mural: Roberto Begnini "haunting"/overlooking Florence with his hands clasped to his head. PJ: I hope he's not just had one of their pizzas! A wood-fired Tuscan style pizza just what we came for and it was a brilliantly sunny day in paradise. We decided not to dine al fresco. We perused the Daily Specials consisting of fresh mussels (11);lasagna(15);spaghetti carbonara (15);linguini(16);gnocchi(15);risotto(19);salmon(25);filet mignon (25);sauteed chicken (16);veal scalopine (23); spinach salad (11). Regulars know the trick is to stick with Chef Sergio's specials.
We decided to share a razor-thin crusted pizza, spinach salad, red wine, expresso coffee:
Insalata Di Gamberi: spinach with grilled prawns in vinaigrette dressing. (11) The prawns were "reddish orange with traces of a white underbelly." (PJ clowning).
Diavolo 10" pizza: Tomato sauce, mozzarella and spicy sausage. (10) Delivered quickly and was delectable but crust a little underbaked (my chef friend who tasted leftovers reminded me vociferously). I loved the copious amount of cheese, really, you can't go wrong with the "perfect" pizza at this upscale joint. The crust was razor-thin and lovingly but a little too hastily prepared! Make sure you get there well before closing, ok? But on a scale of 10, I'd give it a 9.
Are you a Bay Area pescaterian and hooked on salmon?
Grilled fresh salmon in crudaiola sauce with fresh tomatoes, capers and onion. Delightful! (25)
Massima recommended the Sangiovese Toscana, 2003 (7.50). I shared a glass with PJ. How did the oenophile enthusiast describe it? Seriously, he's hardly a vitaculture graduate. "Eclectic with traces of boysenberry." Ever the clown! My suggestion: Non-alcoholic beer on the menu for those hot days coming up! Massimo provides an extensive wine list of Italian whites/reds at reasonable prices. In the summer bring a ping pong paddle to battle the fruit flies!
We skipped dessert but can highly recommend this place for desserts and coffee after a night at the movies at Metreon. Massima will be razing the south green wall and come November, a bar lounge will add to this charming spot at "Ponte Vecchio West". Pay a visit and he'll make you feel like a long lost relative!
Peter's joke for the day:
A nasty, irascible Beethoven was working on a new composition. His paramour Brunhilda comes in.
She: I've decided to leave you, Beethoven.
He: I'm a sweet, kind, gentle, person, how can you leave me?
She: ha ha ha ha (hums opening notes of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
Anna's Joke for the Day: (to a random Canadian) So you're French and Canadian --you're obnoxious AND dull. (When not bringing laughter to world and pooping on things, find out what www.triumphtheinsultdog.com does)
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